Unveiling a statue of Swami Vivekananda on Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus in the national capital, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that one should be proud of one’s ideology but should not let it eclipse the national interest.
“The students’ hunger for ideas, debates and discussion, which used to be satisfied in Sabarmati Dhaba, has now found a new place under the statue of Swami Vivekananda. But it is wrong to think only on the basis of one’s ideology, which eclipses national interest. Everyone takes pride in their ideology today, which is natural. But we should follow our ideology in the line of the national interest and not against it. This statue should teach immense commitment and intense love towards our nation,” PM Modi wished, adding if there is one thing which has “hurt the democratic set-up of our country the most; it is giving priority to ideology over national interest.”
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He went on to say if need arises, adherents of different ideologies should unite for the country, giving examples of the Indian freedom struggle and the Emergency.
“When one sees the country’s history, it will be observed that in national interest, adherents of different ideologies have come together. In the struggle for India’ independence, adherents of different ideologies came together under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi.”
PM Modi advised the youth to strengthen the Indian tradition where diverse intellectual thoughts prosper.
“Idea sharing and the flow of new thoughts should be enabled in the country. Our country is a vibrant democracy only because of this tradition,” he said.
